Transurban profit falls but dividend rises

Toll road operator Transurban has announced a decline in half-year profits, but its shares have risen on an increased dividend.

Transurban recorded a first-half net profit of $80.9 million, down more than 13 per cent on the same time the year before.

The chief executive of Transurban says there has been disappointing traffic flows on its new US toll road and the 495 Express, linking Virginia to Washington DC, will take time to capture motorists.

"From an operational point of view it's performing well. The safety issues we're quite happy with how it's performed there," he said.

"We are disappointed with some of the early traffic numbers. It is in that situation because it's been under construction for five years, and it's the biggest adjustment to that traffic network since the 1960s."